Thursday, December 6, 2012

Brisbane’s HOTtest destination for everything Handmade under the stars

The BrisStyle indie Twilight Markets in the heart of Brisbane’s King George Square offers a unique home-grown experience like no other event of it’s kind in Australia. Combining the laid-back attitude of south-east Queensland with the buzz of Brisbane’s CBD, this special Friday night event will create a festive lantern lit celebration of local independent art, craft and design around the Lord Mayors statuesque Christmas Tree and Pantomime stage.

Along with over 100 local artisans specialising in soulful, stylish handmade wares, a host of Christmas parade performers will sprinkle their magic throughout the square.

Make your way up to the scenic deck above the square for more of the same… and the best view in Brisbane of all the festivities! With a café, restaurant and bar below, you can kick back to the sounds of Brisbane’s best jazz musicians, providing the perfect festive soundtrack to a Christmas shopping night like you’ve never experienced!

So support the local community this Christmas by shopping ethically for gifts with a unique Queensland twist at Brisbane’s HOTtest destination for everything handmade under the stars.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

There's nothing like a custom order to get the creative juices flowing. One of my lovely TRIP fellows has asked for a replacement for her 20 y.o. Country Road bag (hey, I had one of those, too - which I tried to discard, which was subsequently snaffled by my mother for another 10 years ... only to be replaced by a, you guessed it, shelleyberelli tote!!)

I've got the fabric stash out and I've been playing with combinations and permutations of different materials to send to her to see what she'd like. Here are tonight's discoveries. I think I will get cracking this week end on these designs, anyway! I've got a BiDM and BiTM coming up in December.

shelleyberelli will be otherwise occupied that night, but I'm been sewing like crazy for the next markets I'll be attending, the December BiTM. This is an assortment of what I'll be bringing along - my new smartphone sleeves avec go-card pocket. Tidy!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

What are you doing on the 26th October? Why don't you head on into the city for a touch of BrisStyle goodness? From 5-9pm a bunch of BrisStylettes will be presenting their wares for your shopping pleasure.

Monday, September 17, 2012

I'm really enjoying these September week ends. The days are getting longer and the weather is more enjoyable for picnics in the park. My thoughts are also turning to my garden. I am looking forward to planting some new flowers and setting some of my pot-bounds 'free'.

I love this time of the year when the plants surprise me with their flowers. One day they're just a regular-joe plant, the next the brighten up my balcony with their beautiful flowers.

I came upon my surprise of the month when I was pushing my garden back onto, well, the garden, after the bush turkeys had spread it everywhere else ... my Clivia looks like it might treat me to a burst of orange this year. It's been there in the corner of my garden, hiding amongst the showy hippeastrums, ne'er a bloom to be seen. Whether it's the previous good rains or the latest dry spell, or maybe the planets have suitably aligned? It's not mine to question why. Maybe my run of neglect has paid off again?

To finish off the week end, we had a baby-shower-high-tea + frisbees + badminton. Best games *I've* ever played at a baby shower, hands down!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

I had a recent trip to Sydney to spend time with 2,300 of my closest dietitian friends. One of my most favourite parts of the conference, aside from attending lectures by clever people with whom I became familiar from looking at their names on the spines of our text books, was a plenary session on the final day by a Japanese presenter. We learnt about Shokuiku, the law where every school must have a dietitian (yay!) - not to cook the food (!), but to advise on nutritious school menus and incorporate nutrition education in to the children's days. Sorry for the poor quality of these photos, but they were snapped in the talk ...

In this school (?all/?most) schools, the food comes from local, named families.

These kids got a kick out eating their own handiwork.

And local famers regularly spoke with kids to provide context and the background process to their school meal production. Do you know where *your* lunch leeks come from?

After the conference I spent a few days pottering around Sydney. I made tracks to the State Library of NSW. My beeline was to see the wonderful Patrick White exhibition. It contained some of his (believed to be burned) papers, plenty of photographs, early edited manuscripts, and even some of his old recipes.... You've got until the 28th October to see it. Do yourself a favour!

Patrick and his cat, Tom Jones.

We also popped in to Aria for a spot of tea one night.

And took the ferry across to Milson's Point for another quick snack.

To fill in time before going out to the airport I explored the new wing of the Museum of Contemporary Art. I apologise in advance that I didn't take down any of the artists names, but if you like the look of any of these pieces, I'd recommend a trip to Circular Quay to check it out.

MCA entrance

Having bad cakes and coffee on the 4th floor cafe I was reminded how beautiful Sydney was (even with 'the Toaster' featuring so prominently).

Friday, August 17, 2012

Happy Saturday, folks. The westerlies are still in Brisbane and, to the surprise, (shock and awe!) of many people I tell, this weather pattern (sunny and windy) makes it into my top 3 meteorological events. I'm not sure what is stranger to them - the preference or the fact I have a top 3?

About Me

hello there, and welcome to my shelleyberelli blog. i make bags, belts, purses and laptop sleeves from found-fabrics and pretty new designs. please do have a look around and leave me a message if you'd like to say hello.